Carbon Fiber In Cars: More Energy To Make, Lower Lifetime Emissions

By Stephen Edelstein 175 views May 26, 2014 Reddit This! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 2014 BMW i3, 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show Enlarge Photo While its light weight helps raise fuel economy in vehicles, carbon fiber has its critics. An often-long supply chain has led some to question the material's environmental benefit. Recently, BMW defended the carbon footprint of carbon fiber in a recent WardsAuto article. MORE: 2014 BMW i3: First Drive Of BMW's Radical New Electric Car The German carmaker is betting heavily on carbon fiber. It recently announced that it will triple production at its plant in Moses Lake, Washington, that makes carbon fiber for the 2014 i3 electric car and 2015 i8 plug-in hybrid coupe. 2014 BMW i3, 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show Enlarge Photo BMW head of purchasing Klaus Draeger told Wards that while the carbon footprints of components like the i3's carbon ...